Disability Outreach Center

Image description: Disability Outreach Center Community Lounge. The walls are white with a trans pride flag on the far right wall. The flooring is blue carpet. There is a front desk on the lefthand side with a computer, informational papers, Know Your Rights cards in a basket, hand sanitizer, masks, earplugs, and a box of stim toys on it as well as a chair behind the desk. Behind the desk is a TV monitor on the left wall. There are two couches in the back left corner, one black against the far-left wall and one orange against the left of the back wall. There is a door that leads outside at the back wall. In the right corner of the room, there are 2 tables with computers and a large air purifier on them and a chair behind a computer. Against the right wall are cubbies, a bookcase with books, a stack of chairs, and a table with snacks. There is a large blue bean bag near the left back corner of the room. In the center left of the room, there is a circular table with three chairs. The table has signs and a tissue box on it.

Below are some of the resources available at the DOC:

• KN95 masks
• Hand sanitizer
• Fragrance free lotion
• Fidget/stim toys (for use in DOC)
• Menstrual products
• COVID-19 antigen rapid tests
• Safer sex supplies
• Naloxone emergency treatment nasal spray
• Fentanyl test strips
• Constitutional and immigration rights cards
• DAC and community resources
• Computers
• Snacks and drinks
• Microwave, toaster, fridge, and kettle
• Coloring and crafting materials
• Heating pad (for use in DOC)
• Games (for use in DOC)
• Disability studies library (books for use in DOC) (checkout policy coming soon!)

The Disability Outreach Center including the Community Lounge in Wilson Library 165 is open Mondays - Fridays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM during the academic year. 

The DOC is closed on weekends, holidays, and university closures. Hours may vary during the summer and intersessions.

The DOC is on the ground floor of  Wilson Library. Wilson Library is an ADA accessible building. The accessible entrance to the DOC is through the external door west of the skybridge that connects Wilson Library and Haggard Hall. There is signage for the Disability Access Center, the Disability Outreach Center, and lecture hall WL 164. 

Please refer to the Campus Map for information about the nearest accessible doors, elevators, walkways, routes, and parking spots.

This building has an accessible and all-gender restroom around the corner from the DOC in WL 165A. Additional all-gender bathrooms are in WL 182 (ADA accessible), WL 668, and WL 669. 

The accessible all-gender restroom in WL 165A has free menstrual products.

Wilson Library has a changing room on the 1st Floor in WL-182C (Women's restroom) and a lactation room on the 3rd Floor in WL-367B (women's restroom). 

Black Couch

• Standard height (16 inches tall) couch with lumbar support and 42 inches of seating space between arm rests and an official weight capacity of 500 lbs.

Orange Couch

• Standard height (17 inches tall) couch with minimum lumbar support and 50 inches of seating space between arm rests. Official weight capacity is unknown, but can support at least 300 lbs.

Blue Armless Chairs

• Standard height armless chairs with lumbar support and a 250 lbs. official weight capacity.

Black Desk Chair

• Standard height rolling desk chair with lumbar support, arm rests and a 300 lbs. official weight capacity. Arm rests are height and width adjustable. The width between arm rests can be adjusted between 18 to 20.5 inches.

Blue Desk Chair

• Standard height rolling desk chair with minimal lumbar support, a 300 lbs. official weight capacity and fixed arm rests 20.5 inches apart.

• Masks: Masks are strongly encouraged at the Disability Outreach Center. KN95 masks are available at the door and upon request. Help protect our community by wearing a mask.
  • Masking makes in-person gatherings accessible for many, especially those in our immunocompromised and immunodeficient communities. However, we know that masking is inaccessible for some in our community.
• Air Purifiers: The DOC has an air purifier that has four-stage hospital-type filtration with a true HEPA filter.
• Testing: Visitors are encouraged to test for COVID prior to coming to the DOC, if possible. We will have a limited number of rapid COVID tests available upon request.
• Illness Policy: If you are experiencing any symptoms of contagious illness such as cough, sore throat, fever, or nausea, we encourage you to please stay home and join us at another time as our community includes members who are immunocompromised or have immunodeficiencies.

Please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfume, cologne, and fragrant personal care products while using this space, as they can trigger serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies and/or chemical sensitivities. We appreciate your cooperation in making this area accessible! For more information, visit the Accessible Spaces: A Fragrance-Free Toolkit.

The DOC Community Lounge has free snacks for students! Come check out our snacks to eat in the lounge and grab it to go.

We aim to have allergen friendly options as well as options that meet a variety of dietary restrictions and observations. If you have a recommendation for snacks, let a DOC Office Coordinator know!

Our library collection of Disability Studies books is currently under development! Check back soon for information about our upcoming plans for book checkouts.

• Hold regular office hours to engage with students, providing peer-to-peer support, referrals, and community. 
• Develop one self-directed project or initiative each quarter focused on accessible media and communications. 
• Participate in the planning and delivery of events for current and prospective students. This includes assisting with event publicity, preparation of event materials, set-up and take-down, and assessment.  
• Current annual event programming includes DisOrientation, Disability Action Month, Disability Day of Mourning, Autism and Neurodivergence Celebration Month, DisCo (Disability Community) Graduation and Awards Ceremony, and Disability Pride Month. 
• Current quarterly programming includes the Mask4Mask event series and Disability Community End of Quarter Celebrations.  
• Facilitate weekly and monthly affinity groups.  
• The two current affinity groups hosted through the DOC are Spoons and Knives, a group for students with chronic illness, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue, and the BIPOC x Disability Affinity Space with the Black Student Center, Ethnic Student Center, and La Plaza.  
• DOC Coordinators are also encouraged to propose and launch new affinity groups to address student needs and interests. 
• Assist in the assessment of event programming and of the DOC as a whole. 
• Represent the DOC, DAC, and Centers including by staffing tables for the department at events and resource fairs. 
• Establish regular communication, information sharing, and collaboration with campus partners to share resources and upcoming events. 
• Serve on relevant campus committees, councils, and working groups to represent and advocate for disabled students’ needs and well-being. 
• Maintain a social media presence, ensuring that digital materials are accessible and follow Western guidelines. 
• Support the DOC Community Lounge and DAC office. Maintain office and community space that is accessible, welcoming, and inclusive to students with multiple marginalized identities. 

Responsibilities of the Accessible Media and Communications Coordinator:

• Develop physical and digital materials for events and programming such as flyers, banners, pamphlets, brochures, programs, and certificates. 
• Create digital materials on social media platforms including but not limited to Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and the Western Involvement Network (WIN).  
• Create and maintain educational and outreach campaigns such as disability recognition days and months, the COVID Conversations video series, social media takeovers, student profiles, and other materials. 
• Support photography and videography for events and programming. 
• Be the primary communicator for the DOC team on social media platforms including but not limited to Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and the Western Involvement Network (WIN). 
• Support with university-wide communications such as Western Today and the Institute for Critical Disability Studies listserv. 
• In collaboration with the DOC supervisor, author the monthly DOC email newsletter. 
• In collaboration with the DOC supervisor, maintain and update the DOC website. 
• Develop alt text and image descriptions for all digital materials. 
• Develop Plain Language and Easy Read versions of materials. 
• Collaborate with other Western Washington University social media and communications coordinators including at the Centers, other departments, clubs, and organizations. 
• Support university digital accessibility standards including training other staff in collaboration with the DOC supervisor. 

Responsibilities of the Disability Coalition Coordinator:

• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly Bellingham Disability Coalition (BDC) meetings. 
• Maintain current partnerships through ongoing communication and collaboration with local disability community organizations and departments. Current BDC partners include, but are not limited to, WWU Disabled Theater Coalition, WWU Adaptive Sports Club, Max Higbee Center, Whatcom Community College, and more. 
• Conduct outreach to local clubs, organizations, businesses, community colleges, and individuals connected or related to disability, disability community, or disability services. Stay up to date on going-ons of the disability community in the wider Bellingham community. 
• Maintain and update BDC website and calendar to include all members of the BDC and accurately reflect current events and programming throughout the wider Bellingham community.  
• Create and update BDC physical and digital materials including printable pamphlets. Pamphlets are physically available in the DOC and to any interested community partners.  
• Coordinate with Accessible Media and Communications Coordinator and supervisor on outreach and media including websites, social media, email, newsletter, flyers, posters, brochures, and other digital and physical materials, to communicate and promote the BDC, ensuring all media and communications are accessible. 

Responsibilities of the Education and Outreach Coordinator:

• Build relationships and connections with students, academic departments, faculty, and faculty organizations to support inclusion, accessibility, universal design, academic excellence, and inclusive success of disabled students and advance the mission, vision, and values of the DOC, DAC, and The Centers. 
• Solicit information on the academic experiences of disabled students and feedback from disabled students to support initiatives for increased accessibility, inclusion, equity, justice, belonging, and holistic well-being of disabled students. 
• With the DOC supervisor and Student Advocacy Coordinator, develop and facilitate a Disability Student Advisory Committee, focused on academic experiences. 
• Liaise with academic departments, colleges, institutes, centers, and programs, instructors, and faculty organizations to promote accessibility and universal design and advocate for increased inclusion, equity, justice, belonging, and holistic well-being for disabled students. 
• Liaise with academic advising, student success, and career services departments to increase retention, graduation completion, academic excellence, inclusive success, and holistic well-being of disabled students.  
• Provide knowledge and insights on academic concerns that affect disabled students to center the lived experiences, perspectives, and expertise of disabled students. 
• Organize and facilitate classroom visits to promote greater awareness of the DOC, DAC, and The Centers as well as of disability, accessibility, and universal design. 
• With the Accessible Media and Communications Coordinator, create and maintain digital and physical educational materials, such as brochures, pamphlets, and webpages, on disability awareness, identity, community, culture, accessibility, and universal design. 
• Design and facilitate workshops, trainings, tools, references, guides, modules, courses, and other educational materials and initiatives for students, staff, and faculty related to disability awareness, identity, community, culture, accessibility, and universal design. 
• Promote disability topics in academic offerings, academic interest groups, and research opportunities. 

Coming soon...

Responsibilities of Student Advocacy Coordinator: 

• Build relationships and connections with students, student organizations, staff, faculty, campus departments, and community partners to support student advocacy and advance the mission, vision, and values of the DOC, DAC, and The Centers. 
• With the DOC supervisor and Education and Outreach Coordinator, develop and facilitate a Disability Student Advisory Committee, focused on campus experiences. 
• Solicit information on the campus experiences of disabled students and feedback from disabled students to inform advocacy and support initiatives for increased accessibility, inclusion, equity, justice, belonging, and holistic well-being of disabled students. 
• Solicit feedback from students on improvements to the facilities, amenities, programs, activities, and services of the DOC. 
• Provide knowledge and insights on university concerns that affect disabled students. 
• Serve on councils, committees, and working groups, including, but not limited to, the Neurodiversity Inclusion Collaborative, ASWWU Legislative Affairs Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, Information Technology Accessibility Committee, and Campus Dining Committee to advocate for increased accessibility, inclusion, equity, justice, belonging, and holistic well-being for disabled students, faculty, and staff and to center the lived experiences, perspectives, and expertise of disabled students. 
• Partner with campus departments including LGBTQ+ Western, Multicultural Student Services, Associated Students, Civic Action Programs, Student Activities, Student Engagement, Western Success Scholars, Basic Needs, Transportation, and others to advocate for disabled students. 
• Design and facilitate workshops, trainings, tools, references, guides, modules, courses, and other educational materials and initiatives for students, staff, and faculty related to self and collective advocacy skills and strategies as well as disability awareness, identity, community, culture, accessibility, and universal design. 
• With the DOC supervisor, provide knowledge and insights to inform reports about programmatic, services, and impact of the DOC, including annual budget requests and reporting to university leadership and Board of Trustees. 

Disability Access Center (DAC) - Wilson Library 170

Western students can apply for DAC services at their Student Services Application page. The application process is brief and DAC staff are eager to support you!

Disability Access Center (DAC) - Wilson Library 170

Through services, programming, and advocacy centering disabled Western students, the DAC advances holistic student development and inclusive achievement. Focusing on disability outreach services, DAC helps ensure institutional legal compliance and fosters a justice-oriented campus community that centers disability-positive identity formation. DAC increases access, equity, and inclusion for disabled Western students through collaborative transformation of structures, policies, and practices.

Western students can work with the DAC obtain accommodations. If you are unsure if you would qualify for DAC services, reach out to ask and they will do their best to help you. If you would like to talk with a peer about getting accommodations or to join you for a meeting with a DAC access manager, reach out to a DOC staff member.

Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance - Old Main 126

The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (CRTC) is responsible for ensuring that Western complies with federal and state civil rights laws, including the ADA and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a concern about your civil rights, contact CRTC. The Director of CRTC is also Western's ADA Coordinator.

Structural Equity and Bias Response Team (SEBRT)

Western's Bias Response Team supports students, staff, and faculty who experience bias incidents. You can Report a Bias Incident on their website. Reports may be made anonymously.

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic - Academic Instruction Center 394

The department of communication sciences and disorders offers a variety of clinics and services for different types of communications disorders; they also have a hearing aid bank available for people with financial need. There are treatment options available for people of all ages. They are funded based on donations; donating is not required to receive services. The clinic accepts referrals from “physicians, educators, other speech-language-hearing professionals, allied health service providers, and directly from clients, as well.”

Counseling and Wellness Center - Old Main 540

The Counseling and Wellness Center offers a variety of services including short term individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, workshops, and crisis services. Their groups include Divergent Minds, Build Your Social Confidence, Anxiety Group, and Depression Group. If you have paid the health service fee, you are eligible to receive services.

Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS) - Haggard Hall 123

ATUS has services to facilitate Digital Accessibility at Western for members of the community. These services include accessible web design training, laptop loans, speech to text software, screen reader software. They can also help you set up accessibility features on your computer or mobile device.

Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center (E-ATRC) - Miller Hall 250

The E-ATRC is a resource center that lends out various assistive technology tools. Their goal is to “increase awareness and use of assistive technologies in order to improve participation in life and increase access to learning for a wide range of individuals with diverse needs.

Student Health Center - Campus Services 2nd floor

The student health center offers basic medical care services, including same day appointments for urgent visits. Their services include primary care, reproductive health, and psychiatric health services. They also can refer you to medical specialists in the greater Whatcom area. Any student who has paid the health and wellness fee is eligible for services.

Veteran Services -  Viking Commons 525

Veteran Services offers up-to-date services and resources to support veterans, reservists, and their dependents who are using their GI Bill educational benefit. They have step by step guides, links to forms, and various other resources.  If you have questions about your benefits, reach out to Veteran Services.

Western Hub of Living Essentials (WHOLE) - Viking Union 435

The goal of WHOLE is to provide students experiencing food insecurity with living essentials including non-perishable food and personal care products.

Disability Studies and Action Collaborative (DSAC)

The purpose of this collaborative is to create more disability studies experiences along the West Coast. This includes beginning the process of creating a disability studies minor and institute at Western Washington University, as well as hosting open collaborative events like the UnConference.

Accessible Parking Spaces on Campus

This website will direct you toward information about accessible parking spaces on campus, as well as how to obtain an accessible parking pass.

For comments or concerns related to physical or digital barriers and accessibility please fill out the Western Accessibility Barrier Form.

Campus Map

Classroom Details

Explore the Buildings

Find a Space @ Western Libraries

Viking Union spaces

Reflection and Meditations Spaces

Accessible parking spots on campus

• Critical Disability Studies minor
• ICDS Student Advisory Council
• Disability Studies and Action Collaborative Support and Discussion Groups

• Adaptive Sports Club
• Disabled Theatre Coalition
• Disability and Neurodivergence Club